Select Local Merchants

Agora Churrascaria: A User's Guide
Brazilian Steak House | Award-Winning Churrasco | Hot-Food Buffet | Caipirinha Cocktails | Fixed-Price Menu
Sample Menu
Entree: bacon-wrapped fillet
Side: feijoada, a black-bean stew
Dessert: passion-fruit mousse
Cocktail: strawberry-basil caipirinha
How it Works: During this all-you-can-eat fine-dining experience, customers are first seated at tables bedecked with white linens. Then, a server parades out a selection of 16 churrascaria meats, carving off a portion of skewered beef, lamb, pork, or chicken. A two-sided, colored coaster—green for "keep it coming," red for "I'm stuffed"—lets the staff know if you'd like seconds or thirds. Diners can also help themselves to the buffet of salad fixings and side dishes.
Inside Tip: Vegetarians can skip out on the meat and pay a reduced price for the salad and sides buffets. The extensive salad bar is filled with traditional choices as well as tabbouleh and pickled shiitake, and the hot side dishes include a "mashed potato so smooth it could pass for crème fraîche," according to OC Weekly.
Vocab Lesson
Churrascaria: Brazilian-style barbecuing where the meat is skewered and cooked over an open flame or on a grill; the meat itself is called churrasco
Rodízio: an all-you-can-eat style of service common in Brazilian restaurants
Caipirinha: a Brazilian cocktail made with the sugarcane-based spirit cachaça and lime juice
If You Can’t Make It, Try This: Amazon Churrascaria BBQ Buffet (1445 S. Lemon Street, Fullerton), more casual—but no less authentic—spot for Brazilian cuisine according to the Los Angeles Times.

Brazilian churrascarias—a kind of Portuguese barbeque joint—have their roots in traditional celebrations of a successful harvest. At modern churrascarias, waiters walk around with skewers or roasted meat, cutting off all-you-can-eat portions of steak, pork, and chicken directly onto your plate. Diners interested in rounding out a years' worth of protein can find endless accompaniments at the salad bar and buffet of Brazilian hot dishes or try traditional drinks such as caipirinha or guarana, a Brazilian soda.

Gol Brazilian Restaurant's cooks prepare top sirloin, bacon-wrapped pork, chicken hearts, and other meats in the traditional gaucho style—by skewering them onto metal rods and slow-roasting them over charcoal. Besides the succulent churrasco selections, a buffet of fresh, flavorful salads and hot dishes such as spaghetti carbonara and croquettes round out the menu. Patrons can sip fresh fruit juices, beer, or wine and finish meals with creamy flan and other desserts while observing the footwork of Brazilian soccer teams on the flat-screen TV.

Fresh fare can be found at Mastro's Ocean Club, where patrons seek to sample every seafood dish on the menu.
It s best to save your lighter eating habits for another day, though, as
low-fat
is not featured on the menu here.
At Mastro's Ocean Club, you can bring your own beverages and enjoy tasty eats.
Mastro's Ocean Club's fully stocked bar is a perk for patrons who enjoy a fine wine (or more) with their meal.
Celebrate the start of a great weekend at Mastro's Ocean Club's great happy hour.
Take a great restaurant, add perfect party food and a fun group of people, and get a night for the ages at Mastro's Ocean Club.
Sit back, relax, and enjoy the beautiful weather during your meal at Mastro's Ocean Club.
Live music is often featured for diners' enjoyment.
The crowds come out in force on Fridays and Saturdays, so don't neglect to make a reservation ahead of time.
No need to be formal, business casual will pass.
Bring the Mastro's Ocean Club's great food to your place.
Store your car in a nearby lot or pass it off to the valet service at Mastro's Ocean Club.
Mastro's Ocean Club is a bit of a splurge at around $50 to $75 for a meal.

Laguna Niguel's Savannah Chop House features exceptional food and wine options.
Low-fat alternatives are not available, however, so make sure your waistband has some wiggle room.
Enjoy a drink with your dinner — Savannah Chop House has a full bar to serve up a glass of wine, beer, or more.
Head to Savannah Chop House for a happy hour that aims to please.
Book a private room at Savannah Chop House and get ready to enjoy a night of fun, feasting, and celebrating.
Sit outside when the weather is fine — Savannah Chop House has a lovely patio to enjoy a warm day.
For an eclectic twist on traditional dining, live music is often featured at Savannah Chop House as well.
Reserve your table ahead of time if you're heading over to the restaurant on a Friday and Saturday — it can get quite crowded during the weekend.
Great place to bring the whole family with great food and a business casual dress code.
If time is of the essence, Savannah Chop House's take-out option may be a better fit.
For the tastes of Savannah Chop House from the comfort of your next party, the restaurant also offers catering services.
Hand your keys to the valet driver or choose your own spot in the lot next door.
Prices are a bit on the higher side, so this might be a good pick for a special night out.
Reviewers rave about the dinner menu at the restaurant, though breakfast and lunch are also served.

Laguna Hills' Lone Star Steakhouse features exceptional food and wine options.
Dieters beware — Lone Star Steakhouse does not offer low-fat cuisine.
Lone Star Steakhouse also operates a bar, so a round of drinks with dinner is not out of the question.
Let the kids come too! Little ones love the food and atmosphere at Lone Star Steakhouse just as much as their parents do.
Whether it's just you and a date or you're bringing the whole gang, it's best to call ahead and make a reservation.
For those in a hurry, the restaurant lets you take your meal or snack to go.
If you're hoping to make a smashing impression at your next soiree, you can also have Lone Star Steakhouse cater for you.
Don't waste time or money searching for a parking space — pull into the lot next door at no extra charge.
You'll typically spend about $30 per person to dine at Lone Star Steakhouse, so plan your budget accordingly.